Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe

Sweet & Chewy Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe: Irresistible Homestyle Treats

Whipping up these delightful carrot cake cookies brings pure joy to my kitchen adventures.

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg dance through the air while mixing ingredients.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise a delectable treat that captures classic dessert flavors.

Kitchen experiments sometimes yield magical results, like these perfectly spiced morsels.

Unexpected twists on traditional carrot cake make these cookies a surprising delight for anyone seeking comfort and warmth.

Baking these little wonders connects us to cherished memories and creates new moments of happiness.

Carrot Cake Cookies That Taste Like the Real Thing

  • Whip Up Quick Treats: Perfect for busy home bakers who want delicious desserts without complex steps. The recipe requires minimal effort and basic kitchen tools.
  • Nutrition Packed Goodness: Loaded with wholesome ingredients like carrots, oats, and walnuts, these cookies offer a healthier alternative to traditional sugar-laden desserts. Each bite delivers natural sweetness and essential nutrients.
  • Versatile Snacking Option: These cookies work wonderfully as breakfast, afternoon snack, or post-workout treat. They're portable, easy to pack, and satisfy sweet cravings without guilt.
  • Family-Friendly Baking Experience: Kids can help mix ingredients and shape cookies, making it an engaging culinary activity. The recipe encourages family bonding and teaches basic cooking skills while creating delicious memories.

Carrot Cake Cookies Ingredient Overview

Dry Base Ingredients:
  • Rolled Oats, Almond Flour: A hearty, gluten-free foundation providing texture and nutty flavor.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that bring classic carrot cake essence to the cookies.
Wet Binding Ingredients:
  • Grated Carrots: Fresh vegetable adding moisture, natural sweetness, and vibrant color.
  • Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener that helps bind ingredients and provides rich caramel undertones.
Mix-In Ingredients:
  • Raisins, Walnuts: Chewy and crunchy elements that add depth and traditional carrot cake character.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookie.

Baking Carrot Cake Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

This sets the stage for cookie magic.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Magic

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and toss in these yummy ingredients:
  • Freshly grated carrots
  • Rolled oats
  • Almond flour
  • Maple syrup
  • Plump raisins
  • Crunchy walnuts
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Fragrant nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Stir everything together until the mixture looks perfectly blended and tempting.

Step 3: Shape Irresistible Cookies

Use a cookie scoop to transform the dough into adorable cookie rounds.

Gently place them on your prepared baking sheet.

Take the back of a spoon and give each cookie a gentle press to create a beautiful, slightly flattened shape.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the cookies bake for 12-15 minutes.

Watch for those delightful golden-brown edges that signal cookie greatness.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, allowing them to firm up.

Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Get ready to experience a mouth-watering treat that combines the best of carrot cake and cookies!

  • Use the small holes of a box grater for evenly distributed moisture and texture throughout the cookies.
  • Wet your hands with water before shaping cookies to stop the mixture from sticking to your fingers and ensure smooth, easy formation.
  • Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds, and replace raisins with dried cranberries or chocolate chips for personalized flavor variations.
  • Watch cookies closely during baking to avoid over-browning; golden edges indicate perfect texture and prevent dry, hard cookies.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain softness and prevent sticking.

Store Carrot Cake Cookies Soft

  • Store cooled carrot cake cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 5 days. Separate layers with paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
  • Warm cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness and revive their fresh-baked texture. Microwave briefly for 10-15 seconds if you prefer a softer bite.
  • Discard cookies if they develop any odd smell, moisture, or signs of mold. Always inspect before consuming stored treats.

Carrot Cake Cookies Accompaniments

  • Pair Sweet Cream Beverage: Creamy vanilla latte or cold milk perfectly complements the warm spices and nutty texture of carrot cake cookies.
  • Complement Cheese Selection: Serve alongside mild cream cheese or mascarpone spread for a luxurious tangy contrast that enhances the cookie's sweetness.
  • Match Herbal Tea Blend: Brew chamomile or chai tea to highlight the cinnamon and nutmeg notes, creating a cozy and comforting dessert experience.
  • Enhance Dessert Wine: Select a light moscato or sweet riesling that balances the cookies' rich flavors and provides a delightful after-dinner treat.

Carrot Cake Cookies with Spice Blend Ideas

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace almond flour with certified gluten-free oat flour or coconut flour for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Swap maple syrup with agave nectar and add ground flaxseed as an egg replacement to create a fully plant-based cookie.
  • Nut-Free Option: Eliminate walnuts and substitute with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of maple syrup, and reduce raisins to minimize natural sugar content while maintaining moisture and flavor.

FAQs

  • Are these cookies healthy?

Yes, these carrot cake cookies are healthier than traditional versions. They use natural sweeteners like maple syrup, include nutrient-rich ingredients like carrots and walnuts, and are made with almond flour instead of refined wheat flour.

  • Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! These cookies are naturally gluten-free since they use almond flour. Just ensure all your ingredients are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

  • How can I make these cookies vegan?

To make these vegan, replace maple syrup with agave nectar and swap walnuts with seeds or additional oats. You can also add a flax egg as a binding agent if needed.

  • Do these cookies taste like traditional carrot cake?

While they capture the essence of carrot cake through spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these are cookies with a lighter, more delicate texture compared to dense carrot cake. They offer a similar flavor profile but in a crisp, portable form.

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Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe

Carrot Cake Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Nostalgic carrot cake cookies deliver sweet comfort with classic spices and creamy frosting. Homemade goodness combines traditional flavors in a portable, irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) grated carrots
  • 1 cup (90 g) rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) almond flour
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup

Nuts and Dried Fruits:

  • 1/4 cup (40 g) raisins
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) chopped walnuts

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for your carrot cake cookies.
  2. In a spacious mixing vessel, combine the grated carrots, rolled oats, almond flour, maple syrup, raisins, chopped walnuts, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, stirring thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed and form a cohesive mixture.
  3. Utilize a cookie scoop to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring uniform size and shape for consistent baking.
  4. Gently press down on each cookie mound with the back of a spoon, slightly flattening the tops to promote even cooking and create a classic cookie appearance.
  5. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for the edges to turn a delicate golden brown, indicating they are perfectly crisp and caramelized.
  6. Once baked, remove the sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest directly on the baking surface for 5 minutes, allowing them to firm up and prevent potential crumbling.
  7. Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to cool completely and develop their full flavor profile before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Make sure to grate carrots finely to ensure even distribution and smooth cookie texture.
  • Toast walnuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch.
  • For a gluten-free version, confirm almond flour is certified gluten-free and use certified gluten-free oats.
  • Swap maple syrup with honey or agave nectar if preferred, maintaining similar moisture and sweetness levels.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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